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According to the WHO, Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat is accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and / or increased health problems. In, 2013, the American Medical Association voted to classify Obesity as a disease.

A person is considered to the obese, if their BMI exceeds 30. In India, the cut off limit is 27.5 (BMI is measured by dividing a persons weight in kilograms by the square of the persons height in meters). In India one in three citizens are overweight and 4 out of 10 Bangalorites are Obease and increasing at an alarming proportions. The cause is largely linked to change in dietary habits and lifestyle.

Obesity is linked to various diseases like blood pressure, type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, certain type of cancers and osteo arthritis. Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide.

Obesity is most commonly caused with the combination of excessive intake of food with lack of exercise and Genetic susceptibility. It is also linked to endocrine disorders, medications or Psychiatric disorders.

Diet and Physical exercise are the mainstays of treatment of obesity. A variety of dietary regimen have come into vogue including the Atkins diet etc which drastically reduces carbohydrates in the diet while increasing the proteins (more information can be obtained with the Dietary councilor at the Apollo Hospitals at Bannerghatta road, Bangalore). A trail of anti – obesity drugs can be tried depending your eligibility for the same.

Bariatric Surgery may be considered in eligible individuals, where diet and exercise have proved ineffective or people who have regained weight despite all the effort.

Weight loss surgery as with any major surgery has risks of which one should be aware off. These may include:

An internal leakage of digestive juices into the body cavity

Wound infection at incision sites

Hernias - a weakening of the abdominal wall

Develop gall bladder disease or gall stones – due to weight loss

Blood clots – may cause a more serious condition called a pulmonary embolism

Vitamin deficiencies-may be preventable by taking daily vitamin supplements. Periodic lab testing may also be required

As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of death

Clinically severe or morbid obesity is a chronic progressive condition that is very difficult to treat. Weight loss surgery for restricting food intake and interrupting digestive processes is an option for clinically severe obese patients that have been unsuccessful with other weight loss treatments.

Eligible patients for “Weight Loss Surgery” often have a body mass index, or BMI, of 37.5 or greater. A BMI of 40 translates to about 45 kilos over ideal body weight for men or 36 kilos over ideal body weight for women. Weight loss surgery may also be an option for people with a BMI of 32.5 (govt of India, ministry of health guidelines) or greater who suffer from life-threatening obesity related health problems such as diabetes, obesity-related heart disease or severe sleep apnea. However, as is true for other treatments for obesity, successful results depend significantly on knowledge, personal motivation and behavior.

The medical and emotional benefits of weight loss procedures begin almost immediately after surgery.

Over time, the benefits may include:

Significant weight loss

Controlled Diabetes

Lower blood pressure

Lower cholesterol

Relief from sleep apnea

Relief from acid reflux

Decreased joint pain, improved mobility

Improved mood and self-esteem

People with clinically severe obesity are at great medical risk of disability or premature death. Obesity has been the cause for prematurely deaths each year due to obesity related complications, or co-morbidities. At the top of the list of obesity related co-morbidities are adult onset diabetes and high blood pressure. High blood pressure caused by clinically severe obesity can contribute to heart attacks, congestive heart failure and stroke. Health concerns such as sleep apnea, asthma, low-back pain, urinary stress incontinence and severe acid reflux are also a result of increased weight. Significant weight loss can often ease these conditions or reverse them completely.